One-Hit Wonder movie directors?

[Leaping Larry Jojo]

There are some directors who have everything come together for them for one great movie, but never touch that height again--in fact, a lot of their other movies are simply forgettable or bad.

Some of mine:

Michel Gondry--Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. A little young still, but everything else he's done outside of this is basically whimsical fluff. I guess it really is Charlie Kaufman's baby.

Charles Laughton--Night of the Hunter. A great actor directs a great movie, but never directs again after. I guess he doesn't quite count since his output is limited to 1 movie, but when you have a 100% success rate, I guess I can't complain, LOL.

Mark Lester--Commando. Not a "great" movie, but IMO one of the finest example of how to create a lean, entertaining Hollywood action movie in which not a single frame is wasted. This is economical, effective direction. Lester would go on to direct a series of forgettable thrillers and TV movies.

Who, in your opinion, are one-hit wonder directors?

[BonyT]

Well, I'm not all that knowledgeable about film history, and the man I'm thinking of may not be at all the sort of filmmaker you had in mind; but the name that leapt to mind when I read your thread title was Orson Welles. I mean, you make Citizen Kane at, what? Age 26? Great. So just how exactly do you follow up arguably the greatest film ever? Welles never seemed to find a way. I realize that the subsequent battle with Hearst took a lasting toll on both men; and it's not as though Welles never had any other success at all. But he just seemed to pour the entire wealth of his inspired genius into Kane, and nothing he did thereafter ever measured up to the high bar of expectation he had set with his very first feature film.

[Hanshotfirst113]

Simon West. He seemed like the next coming of Michael Bay when Con Air came out, and then....all gone!

[Joe]

I think Kevin Costner's Dances With Wolves is a good example, since his other films were over bloated flounders.

I'n not sure if I'd mention Welles since, while his others didn't have the moniker of "Greatest of all time", his film Touch of Evil is widely considered the last great classic film noir.

[Michael24]

I think Kevin Costner's Dances With Wolves is a good example, since his other films were over bloated flounders.

The Postman tanked, unfortunately, but Open Range did pretty well. Not a blockbuster, but it did about $68 million on a $22 million budget, which was mostly out of Costner's own pocket. Critics were also generally positive about it, and it got high marks for its gunplay. Best western ever, as far as I'm concerned.

[Joe]

The Postman tanked, unfortunately, but Open Range did pretty well. Not a blockbuster, but it did about $68 million on a $22 million budget, which was mostly out of Costner's own pocket. Critics were also generally positive about it, and it got high marks for its gunplay. Best western ever, as far as I'm concerned.

Hmm, alright. I haven't seen it, but I'll take your word for it. Thanks.

[BonyT]

I'n not sure if I'd mention Welles since, while his others didn't have the moniker of "Greatest of all time", his film Touch of Evil is widely considered the last great classic film noir.As I said, there are a LOT of movies on the "greatest films" list that I've never seen, including Touch of Evil; but I'll take your word for it. :)

[Doctor Nick]

I don't think I'd count Gondry as a one hit wonder... especially since he's only directed two features i think?? Plus he has a fantastic track record with his commercials, so I'll hold out a bit and hope he'll come through with some better features.

[Leaping Larry Jojo]

I don't think I'd count Gondry as a one hit wonder... especially since he's only directed two features i think?? Plus he has a fantastic track record with his commercials, so I'll hold out a bit and hope he'll come through with some better features.

I think he has a handful of movies on his resume, so he is young. That said, I was seriously unimpressed with the other 2 of his I've seen. It's like he has a lot of flash and nothing to say. Eternal...had something to say...but I'm convinced it was all Kaufman now.

As for Orson Welles, I agree he is NOT a 1-hit wonder. Now, it's a little much to ask someone to top what many regard as the GREATEST FILM OF ALL TIME, but that doesn't mean his other films don't have pleasure in them. In fact, I ENJOYED at least 2 of his other films BETTER than Citizen Kane.

[Lord Dalek]

Dominic Sena - Following up the brilliant Kalifornia with the absolutely dreadful Gone in 60 Seconds remake, how far the mighty have fallen.

Boaz Yakin - Director of Remember the Titans and, uh......

Richard Kelly (so far) - Southland Tales is probably the worst sophmore directing outting I'd have ever seen if it hadn't been for...

Vincent Gallo - Brown Bunny. 'nuff said.

Gregory Nava - Director of El Norte and a bunch of other crap nobody remembers (except Selena because its beyond crap)

[Sandoz]

Troy Duffy. The Boondock Saints became a huge cult classic, but nearly ten years later it's his only directorial credit. There's even a documentary about how he pretty much destroyed his own career.

[Hanshotfirst113]

Best western ever, as far as I'm concerned.

How many westerns have you seen ;)?


I think he has a handful of movies on his resume, so he is young. That said, I was seriously unimpressed with the other 2 of his I've seen. It's like he has a lot of flash and nothing to say. Eternal...had something to say...but I'm convinced it was all Kaufman now.

As for Orson Welles, I agree he is NOT a 1-hit wonder. Now, it's a little much to ask someone to top what many regard as the GREATEST FILM OF ALL TIME, but that doesn't mean his other films don't have pleasure in them. In fact, I ENJOYED at least 2 of his other films BETTER than Citizen Kane.

Welles may not have made anything that matches Kane in stature, but then, few people have. This hardly makes his later films failures, or uninteresting.


Dominic Sena - Following up the brilliant Kalifornia with the absolutely dreadful Gone in 60 Seconds remake, how far the mighty have fallen.

Good god, that movie was so awful. And worst of all, boring as all get-out.


Boaz Yakin - Director of Remember the Titans and, uh......

Fresh?

Richard Kelly (so far) - Southland Tales is probably the worst sophmore directing outting I'd have ever seen if it hadn't been for...


Vincent Gallo - Brown Bunny. 'nuff said.

Never saw it. Have nooooo desire to, ever.

[jrh31584]

Michael Cimino - The Deer Hunter - Best Director, Best Picture
Two years later, almost-singlehandedly sinks United Artists with Heaven's Gate.
Practically blacklisted ever since then.

[Hanshotfirst113]

Michael Cimino - The Deer Hunter - Best Director, Best Picture
Two years later, almost-singlehandedly sinks United Artists with Heaven's Gate.
Practically blacklisted ever since then.

He did bankrupt a multi-billion dollar studio. That does tend to turn your name to mud in Hollywood.

[Michael24]

How many westerns have you seen ;)?

Considering that I literally grew up in a household of westerns thanks to my dad being a huge fan, I've seen lots. :)